The story begins with Soujiro Himuro, a man in his mid-thirties who died in a traffic accident after a life of overwork and dissatisfaction. He awakens to find himself in a dense, unfamiliar forest, having been reincarnated into another world by a goddess named Ana. Ana explains that she intervened because Soujiro had once cleaned her statue, creating a connection. She grants him a divine artifact called the "Craft Gear," a small knife that can transform into any tool imaginable and has the ability to "fix" objects by temporarily freezing them in time. This latter ability, however, has a quirk: fixing an object completely prevents it from being cut or moved.
Soujiro's primary motivation is to live a life where he can enjoy food and engage in craftsmanship, a stark contrast to his previous existence. He is given a new, healthy body and the Craft Gear, which he quickly discovers is incredibly powerful. He can use it to create tools like an axe and a staff, and its cutting ability is astonishingly sharp. His first challenge is survival. He finds a river for water and, using the Craft Gear, efficiently builds a sturdy shelter.
His survival skills are put to the test when he encounters a horned rabbit, which he manages to subdue and prepare for food. He also discovers that the Craft Gear can be used to create cooking utensils and even a rudimentary stove. While preparing his meal, he is approached by a young, lost puppy. Soujiro, despite his desire for a solitary life, feeds the puppy, which he names Matsukaze.
The next day, while searching for Matsukaze's owner, Soujiro encounters Mistea, a high elf living in the forest. Mistea is initially suspicious of Soujiro, believing he ate the puppy, but quickly realizes her mistake. She reveals that she lost her belongings, including her bow, to a monster attack. Soujiro, using his Craft Gear, easily defeats the monster, a Storm Griffin, and Mistea is impressed by his power. She explains that the forest, the "Sacred Tree Forest," is incredibly tough and protected by powerful magic, making it difficult to even cut trees. Soujiro's Craft Gear, however, easily overcomes these defenses.
Mistea, grateful for Soujiro's help and having lost her home, asks to build her shelter near his. Soujiro agrees, and together they construct more robust shelters using the Craft Gear's abilities. Soujiro also learns that Mistea cannot use magic to create light, but his Craft Gear can create tools for building and crafting. They discover that the Storm Griffin they defeated had a valuable magic stone, which Mistea gives to Matsukaze, and its talons possess purifying properties.
As they build their new homes, Soujiro and Mistea bond. Soujiro, initially hesitant about companionship due to his past experiences, finds himself enjoying Mistea's cheerful and open personality. He also realizes that his new body and the Craft Gear have made him capable of enjoying food and craftsmanship, fulfilling his deepest desires. He creates a shrine for the goddess Ana, reflecting on her kindness and the meaning of her final words. The chapters end with Soujiro and Mistea establishing themselves as neighbors, ready to face the challenges of this new world together.
